Silo chute with separate discharge tube

ABSTRACT

A clean access and service passage is provided within a silo chute by mounting an elongated discharge tube having a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein in an upright manner within the silo chute and utilizing this discharge tube to convey ensilage outwardly from the interior of the silo. For this purpose, a vertically adjustable transfer conduit is selectively positioned to extend between one of the access door openings in the silo wall and one of the discharge tube openings.

United States Patent [191 Price 1*Mar. 19, 1974 1 511.0 CHUTE WITHSEPARATE DISCHARGE TUBE [75] lnventor: Raymond R. Price, Rochester,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: Rochester Silo, lnc., Rochester,

Minn.

The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Jan. 9, 1990, hasbeen disclaimed.

22 Filed: July 27,1972

21 Appl. No.: 275,759

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.166,679, July 28,

1971, Pat. N0. 3,709,345.

[ 1 Notice:

[52] US. Cl 193/34, 52/195, 52/196, 214/17 DB [51] Int. Cl. B65g 11/02,865g 65/36 [58] Field of Search 193/4, 29, 33, 34, 5; 214/17 DB; 52/195,196; 285/197, DIG. 22

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.709.345 1/1973 Price..193/34 480,573 8/1893 Flagg 138/111 X 3,110,754 11/1963 Witort eta1... 138/114X 1,436,452 11/1922 Leonard 193/34 1,908,821 5/1933 Cornell285/197 163,241 5/1875 Palmieri 138/114 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS776,923 8/1934 France 193/34 852,326 10/1960 GreatBritain ..285/197Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-W. Scott CarsonAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Williamson, Bains & Moore [5 7] ABSTRACT Aclean access and service passage is provided within a silo chutebymounting an elongated discharge tube having a plurality of verticallyspaced openings therein in an upright manner within the silo chute andutilizing this discharge tube to convey ensilage outwardly from theinterior of the silo. For this purpose, a vertically adjustable transferconduit is selectively positioned to extend between one of the accessdoor openings in the silo wall and one of the discharge tube openings.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR I 9 I974 sum 1 ur z Yum SILOCllIUTE WITH SEPARATE DISCHARGE TUBE BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationentitled Double Passage Silo Chute, which was filed on July 28, I971,under Ser. No. 166,679, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,345 andincorporated herein by reference.

Like the aforesaid copending application, this application is directedto a means of providing a separate ensilage discharge passage within asilo chute so as to be able to maintain a clean access and servicepassage within the chute wherein there will be no accumulation ofensilage.

The present invention accomplishes this basic objective by theutilization of an elongated discharge tube mounted within a silo chutein spaced apart relation to a plurality of vertically spaced access dooropenings in one wall of a silo on which the chute is mounted, thedischarge tube being relatively rigid and self-supporting and having aplurality of vertically spaced discharge openings therein through whichensilage may be directed from the silo into the discharge tube atselected elevations corresponding to the level of ensilage in the silo.Each of the discharge openings in the discharge tube is normally closedby a closure member which may be moved to an open position for thepurpose of placing a particular discharge passage in flow communicationwith the interior of the silo. For this purpose, transfer conduit means,preferably in the form of a tubular conduit, is adjustably positioned ata desired operational level within the upright chute between one of theaccess door openings in the silo wall and one of the discharge openingsin the discharge tube, the transfer conduit having a receiving end inflow communication with the interior of the silo.

As a particularly advantageous feature of the material handles apparatusof this invention, the aforesaid transfer conduit preferably has arelatively large receiving and collecting end which is removably fittedsnugly against one of the silo door openings in sealing contacttherewith and a discharge end of reduced cross sectional area which isconnected to one of the discharge openings in the discharge tube. Thelarge receiving end of the transfer conduit acts as a collector anddeflection device for receiving ensilage blown from the interior of thesilo by a conventional unloader and channeling the flow of ensilage intothe smaller, discharge end of the transfer conduit. The sealingengagement of the receiving end of the transfer conduit with the accessdoor openings in the silo wall prevents the leakage of ensilage into theaccess and service passage portion of the silo chute, which it isdesired to maintain a clean condition.

A further beneficial aspect of the material handling apparatus of thisinvention resides in the use of slidably shiftable sleeves on thedischarge tube as closure members for the openings in the dischargetube. When it is desired to connect the transfer conduit from the silowith a particular discharge opening in the discharge tube, the sleevecovering that particular opening is slidably shifted to an open positionand the transfer conduit is removably attached to the discharge tube bymeans of an upright coupling sleeve mounted on the outer end of thedischarge end of the transfer conduit. This coupling sleeve ispreferably an arcuate member open on one side and sufficiently flexibleto permit it to be snapped into place around the discharge tube inconforming relation thereto over one of the discharge openings. As thelevel of ensilage within the silo drops, the transfer conduit isadjusted to successively lower positions within the silo chute andremovably attached between one of the silo access door openings and oneof the openings in the discharge tube.

These and other objects and advantages of my silo chute invention willbecome readily apparent as the following description is read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals have been used to designate like elements throughout theseveral views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a side elevation view,partially in section, showing the multiple passage silo chute anddischarge tube apparatus of this invention mounted on a silo;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the interior of the silo, of the silochute structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section view of the silo chute structure of thisinvention taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the discharge tube apparatus of thisinvention, showing the transfer conduit in exploded relation thereto;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section view of the discharge tube and a portionof the silo chute wall taken along lines 55 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical section view of the silo chutestructure of FIG. 1 taken along lines 66 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, I have shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a silo l of standard construction on which the materialhandling and access chute structure of this invention has been mounted,the silo chute being generally indicated by reference numeral 2. Silo Iis comprised of a plurality of interlocking staves 4 assembled in a wellknown manner utilizing tongue and groove joints. Staves 4 may be formedfrom various materials, including concrete, as illustrated herein. Inone upright side wall portion of silo 1, generally indicated byreference numeral 6, there is provided a plurality of vertically spaceddoor frame openings 8 disposed in vertical alignment with each other.Each of the door openings 8 is normally closed by a door 10 which may bemounted in various ways over the door openings to be removable orshiftable to an open position. In the embodiment of the silo and chutestructure disclosed herein, silo doors 10 are shown hingedly mounted forswinging movement on hinges 11 attached to the door frames 8. Doors 10may be swung inwardly from a closed position, to an open position as isillustrated with respect to one of the doors [0 in FIG. 1. Attached tothe front face of each of the doors 10 are a pair of vertically spacedladder and gripping rungs 12 and 13 which have vertically extendingsegments utilized as pivot pins received within hinge sleeves 11. Theparticular structure and hinged mounting arrangement of doors 10 formsno part of this invention, and reference is made to my copendingapplication, Ser. No. 166,679, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,345,for a more detailed description of the silo door structure. Rungs l2 and13 attached to each of the vertically spaced silo doors 10 form togethera continuous, vertically extending ladder by means of which a workmanmay ascend the interior of chute 2 to obtain entry to the interior ofsilo l by swinging one of the doors l inwardly.

Silo chute 2 may be attached to an upright side wall 6 of silo I in avariety of ways. For purposes of illustrative convenience, I have shownsilo chute 2 locked in engagement with upright silo wall 6 by means ofvertically extending tongues 14 on the inner, upright edges of chute 2.Silo chute tongues 14 are firmly sandwiched in place between matingtongue and groove joints of adjacent silo sleeve 4 on the opposite sidesof door frames 8 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Ensilage is dischargedundcr pressure from the interior of silo 1 into silo chute 2 by means ofa mechanical unloader incorporating a blower, the unloader mechanismbeing of known construction and operation and having a discharge chute16 through which ensilage is blown through one of the open service doors10 in the manner shown in FIG. 1 at a level corresponding to the levelof ensilage in the silo. Chute 16 may be supported in various manners atthe desired vertical location opposite one of the opened service doors10. One method of doing so is to utilize a so-called torque support arm18 which rests on the bottom of one of the door frames 8. For thispurpose, torque arms 18 is preferably provided with an angle ironbracket 20 attached to its outer end which rests on the bottom of one ofthe door frames in the manner most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6.Torque arm 18 is attached to discharge chute 16 by means of an upwardlyextending rod 22 and serves to support and fixedly position dischargechute 16 at the desired vertical level directly opposite one of the doorframe openings 8.

As is clearly indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, silo chute 2 is formed from agenerally U-shaped housing member extending vertically along silo l andabutting against wall portion 6 thereof in overlying relation to accessand service doors 10. In order to provide and maintain a clean accesspassage within silo chute 2, I have separated the interior of chute 2into two separate compartments for passages by mounting an uprightdischarge tube 24 within chute 2 in spaced apart relation to silo sidewall 6 and doors 10. In the embodiment of the double passage chutestructure disclosed herein, discharge tube 24 is shown mounted at theouter end of chute 2 at the most remote possible location from accessdoors l0. Discharge tube 24 is preferably attached to the outer wall ofsilo chute 2 in the upright position shown by a plurality of verticallyspaced mounting brackets 26 which fit around tube 2 and are secured tochute 2 by means of fasteners. Alternatively, fasteners could beutilized to directly attach tube 24 to one wall of chute 2. Formed intube 24 at vertically spaced locations thereon are a plurality ofdischarge openings 28, tube 24 being oriented so that openings 28 facedirectly towards side wall portion 6 of silo 1 within which servicedoors 10 are located. The location and shape of discharge openings 28 intube 24 are best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. Each of the dischargeopenings 28 is normally closed by a closure member 30 movable to an openposition with respect thereto. For this purpose, l have found iteffective and convenient to utilize a plurality of slidably adjustablesleeves 30 which embrace discharge tube 24 and are vertically slidablethereon. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 5, closure sleeves 30, likedischarge tube 24, are of circular shape, but are open on one sidethereof and are sufficiently flexible to permit there snap mounting onand removal from tube 24.

For the purpose of placing discharge tube 24 in flow communication withthe interior of silo l, at a level corresponding to the level ofdischarge chute 16, I utilize a transfer conduit generally indicated byreference numeral 32. Conduit 32 has a relatively large collecting andreceiving end 33 which is sized to fit within one of the door frameopenings 8. Receiving end 33 of conduit 32 tapers inwardly in afunnel-like configuration towards an outlet end 32a (FIG. 6) which iscoupled to a discharge end 34 by means of a collar coupling 36.Alternatively, it is contemplated that transfer conduit 32 may be formedas a one piece unit having a receiving end and a discharge end.Discharge end 34 is of reduced cross-sectional area in comparison withthe mouth or inlet 33]) of receiving end 33. Extending around theperiphery of mouth 33]; of receiving end 33 of transfer conduit 32 is aflange 38 sized to fit snugly withinrecesses 42 of door frames 8.Transfer conduit 32 is removably installed from inside silo 1 byextending its discharge end 34 outwardly through one of the door frameopenings 8 into silo chute 2. Flange 38 on transfer conduit 32 is movedinto tight, abutting engagement with the inside face of one of the doorframes 8 in sealing contact therewith to preclude the leakage of anygrain or forage downwardly within chute 2 in the access passage portionthereof outside of discharge tube 24. To permit the secure engagement ofangle iron bracket 20 on the outer end of unloader support arm 18 withthe bottom sill or shoulder of one of the recessed door frames 8, flange38 is provided with a notch 39 at one, bottom corner thereof, thisnotched opening being normally covered by a flexible skirt 44 made ofplastic or other suitable material which hangs downwardly over notchedopening or recess 39 in the manner shown most clearly in FIG. 2. Asecond notch 40 is formed in one side edge of flange 38 above notch 39at the location of one of the upper door hinges 11. Lower notch 39accommodates the lower door hinge 11, and these two notches 39, 40permit the inward, swinging movement of combined rungs and hinge arms12, 13 affixed to each one of the doors 10. A second flexible skirt 46covers notch 40, skirts 44 and 46 serving to prevent the leakage ofensilage through notches 39 and 40 outside of transfer conduit 32 andinto the access passage portion of silo chute 2.

Discharge end 34 of transfer conduit 32 terminates at an uprightcoupling sleeve 48 which is utilized to positively connect transferconduit 32 to one of the discharge openings 28 in discharge tube 24.Coupling sleeve 48 is removably fitted in place around the outside ofdischarge tube 24 in conforming relation thereto over one of thedischarge openings 28 in the mamner illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. Forthis purpose, coupling sleeve 48 is preferably of arcuate shape, is openon one side thereof, and is sufficiently flexible to permit it to beremovably snapped in place around discharge tube 24. A discharge tube 32and coupling sleeve 48 molded from polyvinylchloride has proven to besufficiently flexible for this purpose. The bottom wall of discharge end34 of transfer conduit 32 is provided with an extension in the form of alip 50 which, as is most clearly shown in FIG. 4, extends withincoupling sleeve 48. When sleeve 48 is snapped in place around dischargetube 24 in tight, abutting relation therewith, over one of the dischargeopenings 28, lip 50 will project into discharge tube 24 through one ofits openings 28. Sleeve 48 is vertically adjusted on tube 24 so that lip50 abutts against the bottom edge 28a of one of the discharge openings28, whereby lip 50 serves as a flow guide device to conduct ensilageinto tube 24 without leakage down the outside thereof. Lip 50 alsofunctions as a vertical stop device for the mounting of coupling sleeve48 on discharge tube 24 properly positioned so that the outlet 34b ofdischarge end of transfer conduit 32 is line up directly over one of thedischarge tube openings 28.

In utilizing the material handling apparatus comprised of discharge tube24 and transfer conduit 32 shown in FIG. 4, discharge tube 24 is firstmounted within silo chute 2 in the upright position shown in FIGS. 1, 2and 6. As noted above, discharge tube 24 is preferably mounted withinsilo chute 2 remote from silo side wall portion 6, adjacent the curvedouter end of chute 2. This arrangement insures that an access passagewill be provided immediately adjacent silo wall portion 6 and servicedoors 10, silo chute 2 and discharge tube 24 being sized so that thisaccess passage will be large enough to accommodate workman. With servicedoors l0 and ladder rungs l2 and 13 located within the confines of theaccess passage, a workman may climb up within the access passage usingthe vertically spaced ladder rungs l2 and 13 mounted on doors 10. Accessis obtained to the interior of silo 1 by swinging one of the doors l0inwardly. Then, transfer conduit 32 is mounted within one of the doorframe openings 8 at the level at which discharge chute 16 is operatingby inserting conduit 32 within the appropriate door frame 8 from insideof the silo. With discharge end 34 of transfer conduit 32 extendingoutwardly through a door frame opening into silo chute 2, receiving end33 of conduit 32 is snugly mounted within the door frame opening byabutting flange 38 tightly against the inside face of recess 42 of oneof the door frame opening. Receiving end 33 of transfer conduit 32,being substantially as large as one of the door frame openings 8, actsas a collecting device to receive grain or forage being blown outwardlythrough discharge tube 6 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1, and thenfunnels this material outwardly and downwardly through reduced diameterdischarge end 34 of conduit 32. Before this discharge operation iscommenced, however, one of the slide sleeves 30 is slid upwardly ondischarge tube 24 to expose one of the discharge openings 28 at theproper level for connection to discharge end 34 of transfer conduit 32.Sleeve coupling 48 is then' snapped in place over the exposed dischargeopening 28 with lip 50 extending over and resting against the lower edge28a of the particular discharge opening. In FIGS. 1 and 6, I have shownone of the sleeve closure members 30a slid upwardly on discharge tube 24to uncover a discharge opening 28 over which coupling sleeve 48 has beensnapped in place. After this operation has been completed, ensilage isblown from the interior of silo 1 through discharge chute 16 intotransfer conduit 32 and thence downwardly through discharge tube 24 tobe conveyed from the bottom end of silo chute 2. As the level ofensilage drops within silo l, discharge chute 16 is lowered and transferconduit 32 is removably adjusted to successively lower door frameopenings 8 in order to be in position opposite discharge chute 16 ateach operating level thereof. Each time that transfer conduit 32 isvertically adjusted to a different door frame opening, coupling sleeve48 thereon is snapped in place over a lower discharge opening 28, afterits cover sleeve 30 has been slid upwardly to an open position.

It will be appreciated, that by the operation and use of discharge tube24 and transfer conduit 32 within a silo chute in the aforesaid manner,ensilage from the interior of the silo will be confined entirely withindischarge tube 24, and a clean access passage will be maintained withinsilo chute 2 adjacent to access doors l0 and ladder rungs l2, 13. Thus,there will be no accumulation of sticky, gummy ensilage within theaccess passage and on ladder rungs 12, 13.

Although discharge tube 24 has been shown mounted directly oppositeaccess doors 10 on the curved, outer portion of silo chute 2, it iscontemplated that discharge tube 24 could be mounted on one of the sidewalls of chute 2, and still maintain a sufticiently large access passagewithin chute 2. If discharge tube 24 were mounted in such a manner, theconfiguration of transfer conduit 32 would of course have to be changedso that its discharge end 34 would be directed towards the side mounteddischarge tube 24. I anticipate that various other changes may be madein the size, shape, configuration and installation of discharge tube 24and transfer conduit 32 without departing from the spirit and scope ofmy invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a silo, an improved, double passage chutestructure comprising:

a vertically extending silo of tubular configuration defined by uprightside walls;

a plurality of vertically spaced door openings in one side wall portionof said silo, said door openings being in substantially verticalalignment with each other;

an elongated, generally U-shaped housing member extending verticallyalong said one side wall portionof said silo in abutting relationtherewith, said U-shaped member being disposed in overlying relation tosaid door openings and cooperating with said side wall portion of saidsilo to define an upright chute;

an elongated, self-supporting discharge tube extending vertically withinsaid upright chute in spaced apart relation to said one side wallportion of the silo to provide space for an access passage within saidchute within which said door openings are located, said discharge tubeserving as an ensilage discharge passage;

a plurality of vertically spaced discharge openings in said dischargetube facing generally towards said one side wall portion of the silo;

a closure member normally disposed in closing relation to each of saiddischarge openings and movable to an open position with respect thereto;and

transfer conduit means extending between one of said silo door openingsand one of said discharge openings for conducting ensilage from theinterior of said silo into said discharge tube, said transfer conduitmeans being adjustable to various vertical operational levels withinsaid upright chute in cooperation with a selected one of said silo dooropenings and having a receiving end in flow communication with theinterior of the silo.

2. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said transfer conduit means is in the form of a conduit having arelatively large ensilage receiving and collecting end fitting snuglyagainst one of said door openings in sealing contact therewith and adischarge end of reduced cross sectional area connected to one of saiddischarge openings in said discharge tube.

3. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 2 wherein:

a flange extends around the periphery of said receiving end of saidtransfer conduit means, said flange abutting against the inside face ofthe frame around one of said silo door openings in sealing contacttherewith, whereby said transfer conduit means may be removed from saiddischarge tube by pulling said conduit means into the silo through oneof said door openings.

4. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said transfer conduit means has a discharge end which terminates at anupright coupling sleeve removably fitted in place around the outside ofsaid discharge tube in conforming relation thereto over one of saiddischarge openings.

5. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said coupling sleeve has a greater length than the height of saiddischarge openings and extends upwardly and downwardly beyond the topand bot-- tom edges of one of said discharge openings in sealingrelation thereover when said sleeve is coupled to said discharge tube. v6. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said closure members over said discharge openings in said discharge tubeare in the form of sleeves embracing said discharge tube and verticallyshiftable thereon.

7. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said discharge tube and coupling sleeve are of arcuate shape, saidsleeve being open on one side thereof and sufficiently flexible topermit it to be removably snapped in place around said discharge tube.

8. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 4 wherein:

a lip is formed on the bottom of said discharge end of said transferconduit means within said coupling sleeve, said lip projecting into saiddischarge tube through one of said discharge openings and abut tingagainst the bottom edge thereof to serve as a flow guide means forensilage and as a vertical stop device for the mounting of said couplingsleeve of said transfer conduit means on said discharge tube.

9. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said discharge tube is attached to a wall segment of said upright chuteat a spaced apart location from said door openings in said side wallportion of the silo.

1. In combination with a silo, an improved, double passage chutestructure comprising: a vertically extending silo of tubularconfiguration defined by upright side walls; a plurality of verticallyspaced door openings in one side wall portion of said silo, said dooropenings being in substantially vertical alignment with each other; anelongated, generally U-shaped housing member extending vertically alongsaid one side wall portion of said silo in abutting relation therewith,said U-shaped member being disposed in overlying relation to said dooropenings and cooperating with said side wall portion of said silo todefine an upright chute; an elongated, self-supporting discharge tubeextending vertically within said upright chute in spaced apart relationto said one side wall portion of the silo to provide space for an accesspassage within said chute within which said door openings are located,said discharge tube serving as an ensilage discharge passage; aplurality of vertically spaced discharge openings in said discharge tubefacing generally towards said one side wall portion of the silo; aclosure member normally disposed in closing relation to each of saiddischarge openings and movable to an open position with respect thereto;and transfer conduit means extending between one of said silo dooropenings and one of said discharge openings for conducting ensilage fromthe interior of said silo into said discharge tube, said transferconduit means being adjustable to various vertical operational levelswithin said upright chute in cooperation with a selected one of saidsilo door openings and having a receiving end in flow communication withthe interior of the silo.
 2. A silo and chute structure as defined inclaim 1 wherein: said transfer conduit means is in the form of a conduithaving a relatively large ensilage receiving and collecting end fittingsnugly against one of said door openings in sealing contact therewithand a discharge end of reduced cross sectional area connected to one ofsaid discharge openings in said discharge tube.
 3. A silo and chutestructure as defined in claim 2 wherein: a flange extends around theperiphery of said receiving end of said transfer conduit means, saidflange abutting against the inside face of the frame around one of saidsilo door openings in sealing contact therewith, whereby said transferconduit means may be removed from said discharge tube by pulling saidconduit means into the silo through one of said door openings.
 4. A siloand chute structure as defined in claim 1 wherein: said transfer conduitmeans has a discharge end which terminates at an upright coupling sleeveremovably fitted in place around the outside of said discharge tube inconforming relation thereto over one of said discharge openings.
 5. Asilo and chute structure as defined in claim 4 wherein: said couplingsleeve has a greater length than the height of said discharge openingsand extends upwardly and downwardly beyond the top and bottom edges ofone of said discharge openings in sealing relation thereover when saidsleeve is coupled to said discharge tube.
 6. A silo and chute structureas defined in claim 4 wherein: said closure members over said dischargeopenings in said discharge tube are in the form of sleeves embracingsaid discharge tube and vertically shiftable thereon.
 7. A silo andchute structure as defined in claim 4 wherein: said discharge tube andcoupling sleeve are of arcuate shape, said sleeve being open on one sidethereof and sufficiently flexible to permit it to be removably snappedin place around said discharge tube.
 8. A silo and chute structure asdefined in claim 4 wherein: a lip is formed on the bottom of saiddischarge end of said transfer conduit means within said couplinGsleeve, said lip projecting into said discharge tube through one of saiddischarge openings and abutting against the bottom edge thereof to serveas a flow guide means for ensilage and as a vertical stop device for themounting of said coupling sleeve of said transfer conduit means on saiddischarge tube.
 9. A silo and chute structure as defined in claim 1wherein: said discharge tube is attached to a wall segment of saidupright chute at a spaced apart location from said door openings in saidside wall portion of the silo.